Firefighter injured as fire guts residential building in Anambra

A fire incident has occurred at a residential building located along Okosi Road by Ugwunaobamkpa junction, Onitsha, Anambra State.

It was gathered that the fire, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, raged for several minutes before the arrival of the men of the state fire service, who battled to quench the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Eyewitnesses near the scene said one of the firefighters was critically injured in the process.

The Anambra State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, who confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, said the injured fireman was immediately rushed to the hospital and he’s responding to treatment.

Chiketa said, “In the early hours of today, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a fire incident broke out in a house located at Okosi by Ugwunaobamkpa junction, Onitsha.

“The Anambra State Fire Service was notified at 0555 hours (5.55 am), and a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were duly deployed to the scene.

“The firemen were able to contain the fire outbreak, though one of the firemen sustained a high degree of injury in the process, but he has been rushed to a nearby hospital for prompt treatment.

“As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire outbreak has not been ascertained. The firemen returned to the station at 0913 hours (9.13 am) of the same day.”

He thanked the general public who assisted in making sure that the fire incident was fully contained and also extended appreciation to the chairman of Onitsha North LGA, who sent a delegation to sympathise with the injured fireman at the hospital.

“We continue to advise the public to be conscious of fire; it kills but can be prevented,” he added.